Buy the Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit if you want one simple dry-care setup for suede or nubuck sneakers. It contains just two pieces, an eraser and a horsehair brush, and Jason Markk’s own advice is to clean suede without water when you can. If you already own a brush, the Crep Protect Eraser is the smaller add-on. If you want a liquid suede cleaner and a protector in the same box, choose the Leather Honey kit.
A suede brush is a dry-maintenance tool. It lifts loose dirt and raises flattened nap. It is not the tool for oil or grease, and harder scrubbing can damage the surface. Every maker below tells you to work gently.
Quick picks
| Pick | Buy it for | Skip it when |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit | A two-piece dry kit with a horsehair brush | You need a liquid cleaner for marks dry tools didn’t lift |
| Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit | An eraser and nylon-bristle brush pair | You want a natural-bristle brush |
| Crep Protect Eraser | Adding an eraser to a brush you already own | You have no brush yet |
| Leather Honey Suede & Nubuck Care Kit | Cleaner, protector, brush and eraser in one box | You only need occasional dry touch-ups |
Maker specs compared
| Product | What’s in the box | Brush bristles | Liquid included | Maker-listed materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit | 1 eraser, 1 Suede Handle Brush | Horsehair, beech wood handle | No | Suede and nubuck |
| Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit | 1 suede eraser, 1 nylon suede brush | Nylon | No | Suede and nubuck |
| Crep Protect Eraser | Eraser block; stored in a tin | No brush | No | Suede and nubuck only |
| Leather Honey Suede & Nubuck Care Kit | Cleaner, protector, suede brush, eraser | Horsehair | Foaming cleaner and water-based protector | Suede, nubuck and sheepskin |
From each maker’s product page, checked October 5, 2026. Bottle sizes for the Leather Honey cleaner and protector are not published on its kit page.
1. Jason Markk Premium Suede Cleaning Kit: best overall
Jason Markk’s kit is two pieces: an eraser and a Suede Handle Brush with horsehair bristles and a beech wood handle. The maker’s directions are short. Use the eraser to dry clean suede and nubuck, then use the brush to revive the nap.
Its FAQ fills in the method. Dry brush the upper gently back and forth to remove loose dirt and dust. Use the eraser with very light pressure on marks, then brush the loosened dirt away. If marks are still visible after dry cleaning, Jason Markk points you to its Ready-to-Use Foam Cleaner instead of more pressure.
This is the right first buy for most suede sneakers because it keeps water off the shoe. Jason Markk also warns that suede is unpredictable, recommends testing in an inconspicuous area first, and doesn’t recommend cleaning dyed suede because it is likely to bleed on contact with water.
2. Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit: best nylon-bristle pair
Angelus pairs a suede eraser with a nylon-bristle suede brush. The maker describes the eraser as lifting marks and surface grime and the brush as raising the nap.
The directions differ from Jason Markk’s in one detail. Angelus says to test on a small hidden area, rub the eraser gently over stains or spots, then use the nylon brush in one direction to lift dirt and restore the nap, repeating as needed. It also suggests brushing regularly after wearing suede shoes so dirt doesn’t set in.
Choose it if you want the same eraser-and-brush routine with a synthetic brush. Skip it if you specifically want a natural-bristle brush; the bristle-type guide explains the differences.
3. Crep Protect Eraser: best add-on eraser
The Crep Protect Eraser is a single dry-cleaning block for suede and nubuck, not a kit. Crep’s instructions say it is suitable for suede and nubuck materials only. Rub the flat edge into the affected area, brush off the shavings and store the block in its tin.
Crep describes the eraser as coarse so that it lifts stains. For that reason it tells you to avoid rubbing excessively and to work slowly while checking your results. That makes it a spot tool for small dry marks, not a way to clean a whole upper.
Buy it when you already own a suitable suede brush and want a pocket-sized eraser. The Crep Protect Eraser review covers its limits and setup cost in more detail.
4. Leather Honey Suede & Nubuck Care Kit: best complete kit
Leather Honey’s kit adds liquids to the dry tools: a Suede & Nubuck Cleaner, a Suede & Nubuck Protector, a horsehair suede brush and a suede eraser. The maker says the foaming cleaner is formulated for suede and nubuck and can also be used on smooth leather, faux and vegan leather, rubber, vinyl, canvas and sheepskin. It describes the protector as a water-based formula that adds a breathable layer of protection against water, dirt and stains.
Its method is a full clean, not a touch-up. Spot test the cleaner and protector in a discreet area and let the test dry. Brush off loose dirt, put the cleaner on a clean, dry cloth rather than directly on the suede, and wipe the whole surface instead of spot treating. Use the eraser on stubborn stains, wipe off the excess, let the suede dry, then apply a thin coat of protector and let it dry naturally. Finish by brushing the nap.
Choose it if your suede gets dirty enough that dry tools won’t be enough, or if you want protection in the same purchase. For a protector bought separately, compare the shoe protector sprays .
How to choose
Start dry. Jason Markk’s advice is to clean suede without water when possible, and Nike’s suede guide also starts with a brush and then an eraser before any liquid. If dry tools are all you need, the Jason Markk or Angelus kit covers it.
Match the tool to the mark. A brush handles loose dirt and flattened nap. An eraser is for marks that remain after brushing. Nike treats oil and grease differently: it suggests cornstarch left for a few hours, then wiping or vacuuming the residue rather than brushing. Gum or wax goes in the freezer until it hardens, then gets peeled or scraped off.
Let wet suede dry first. Nike advises against cleaning suede while it is wet and suggests letting mud dry before brushing so you don’t create a stain.
Decide whether you need liquid. Only the Leather Honey kit includes a cleaner. Jason Markk treats liquid as the next step when dry cleaning leaves marks, and Nike’s last resort is lightly dampening the suede with a small amount of suede cleaner, not drenching it.
Check for dye. Jason Markk doesn’t recommend cleaning dyed suede, which it says is likely to bleed from any contact with water. Test any product on a hidden area first, as every maker here advises.
For the full routine, including oil, gum and water marks, see how to clean suede shoes . Common suede brush mistakes and brush only vs brush plus eraser cover technique and when an eraser earns its place. The Famaco suede brush review looks at a standalone brush, and the suede protector vs waterproof spray guide covers prevention after cleaning.
FAQ
Do suede brushes work?
For loose dirt and flattened nap, yes. Jason Markk and Nike both start suede cleaning with a dry brush. A brush is not the tool for oil or grease, which Nike treats with cornstarch instead.
Can I use a pencil eraser on suede?
Nike names a pencil eraser or household cleaning eraser as the next best option when you don’t have a suede eraser, and says the eraser should be clean.
Should I use water on suede?
Jason Markk advises against putting water directly on suede and doesn’t recommend cleaning dyed suede, which is likely to bleed on contact with water. Use a suede-specific cleaner only after dry methods.